Home California Rep. McNerney Presses Trump Administration on COVID-19 Response for Homeless Population

Rep. McNerney Presses Trump Administration on COVID-19 Response for Homeless Population

by ECT

Stockton, CA – Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) sent a letter to members of the Trump Administration pressing them for details about how their agencies are working to ensure the proper care of America’s homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the letter also sought detailed information on what steps the Administration is taking to prevent homelessness among current residents and subsidized housing recipients.

In a letter sent to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield, Congressman McNerney and 87 of his colleagues wrote:

“Individuals experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to infection and complications from the spread of COVID-19. These individuals already lack ready access to hygiene facilities and permanent shelter, and many lack adequate health care. Moreover, they possess greater barriers to following public health guidance for dealing with this virus, such as washing their hands often, staying at home, and avoiding close physical interactions with others.”

The letter went on to specifically request information regarding:

  • What efforts are being made to coordinate directly with state and local entities to communicate the risk of COVID-19 to homeless individuals, as well as how to prevent contracting and transmitting the virus?
  • What are these agencies doing to assist local government and community nonprofit homeless service providers in making available hygienic services to homeless individuals?
  • What guidance and resources are being provided to homeless individuals regarding self-isolation?
  • What resources are these agencies directly providing to protect the health and safety of health care workers and community volunteers serving homeless individuals?
  • What mental health services are being provided to homeless individuals?
  • What steps are these agencies taking to ensure the safety of homeless individuals who have been discharged from medical care facilities in order to make room for COVID-19 treatment?
  • What efforts are being made to coordinate directly with state and local entities to ensure that shelters serving homeless individuals have the food supplies that they need?
  • What actions are these agencies taking to directly assist local government and community nonprofit homeless service providers that focus on serving homeless youth?
  • What outreach is the Department of Housing and Urban Development conducting to inform current residents—many of whom may be experiencing a change in job status and an associated loss of income—of the need to update any changes regarding their income so they may potentially qualify for increased housing assistance?

According to a 2018 HUD report, there are an estimated 553,000 homeless in the U.S. on any given night and almost a third live in California.

“These are unprecedented times and your agencies are working diligently to respond to this outbreak, but it is imperative that we ensure the most vulnerable Americans are not forgotten by the federal government and receive its direct support,” states the letter.

A full copy of the letter can be found here.

Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties.

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9 comments

Frank Apr 3, 2020 - 6:18 am

Mcnerney and other dems have been absent on homelessness in this state for years. Where have YOU been?

Sven Schenker Apr 3, 2020 - 6:30 am

Wow- McNerney and every single Democrat and Liberal ARE NOT HELPING

Nazi Pelosi and all her mindless sheep are as Un-American as hitler

Why the hell do people keep voting for these idiots- Seriously

PutATargetOnYurBack Apr 3, 2020 - 7:50 am

Thank this representative for asking this impeached nitwit the tough questions. Why did impeached cheeto dismantle the virus team in Wuhan? Why did he then call it a hoax? Was it because it was something that he couldn’t grab? Cuz ya know he likes grabbing women by the…

Sven Schenker Apr 4, 2020 - 7:56 am

Could YOU BE more racist and sexist-
Fits things first, leave YOUR mom’s basement

Get a job (it’s not that hard)

Carry your own weight

The rest of us adults are sick and tired of replenishing YOUR debit card every week!!!

Jg Apr 7, 2020 - 11:27 am

Thank God we have never seen him smell little girls hair like crazy joe.

Jg Apr 3, 2020 - 8:05 am

Sven,
So true. The demos are tearing this country down and endangering lives for personal power. Why anyone with common sense vote for them is treasonous. They stay in as career politicians only to make me wonder if the ballots are rigged. No one in their right mind would vote socialism.

ME Apr 3, 2020 - 10:27 am

Up early with your misery. Ignorant fools…all of you. Since you’re so anti California and everything it stands for then MOVE. You will not be missed. Tootles.

TSG Apr 3, 2020 - 2:53 pm

Now the Dems asking POTUS to fix the homeless problem they created. Pathetic!

Mimzy Apr 5, 2020 - 11:50 am

I would like to see the rep. ask these very same questions directly to the legislature of California! What is he looking for? stars on his cap for demanding the feds take care of the exact things the current Ca. government has not done, but should have done already? Get real!

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